An ode to audacity, the KidSuper Spring/Summer 2024 collection manifested in a peculiar 25-minute theatrical exposition titled “How To Have An Idea“. Held in the ornate confines of the Odéon theater, a heady mix of curiosity and good-natured ribbing buzzed through the packed audience. The air held a distinct scent of anticipation, building off last season’s rib-tickling comedy show and the unforgettable auction presentation from the preceding summer.
The protagonist of this unconventional performance was the creative brain behind KidSuper, Colm Dillane, portraying himself in an intriguing tale of a creativity-stifled artist navigating his cerebral labyrinth. Dillane, daringly traversing his own auditory canal, encountered various embodiments of his consciousness, including a rather affectionate nod to his mother. The ambitious production interspersed comedic moments with a crafty tribute to the iconic Eric Cantona, symbolizing the vigorous creative expenditure funneled into creating a unique show that fearlessly deviated from the norm.
However, there was a sense of subtle disappointment that reverberated throughout the evening. The dilemma seemed to rest on a missing editor’s discerning eye, causing the jokes to deflate and the philosophical undertones to stumble into inelegance. The narrative arc was haphazard, and certain scenes, like the quiz show episode featuring a semi-clad Dillane, felt incongruous and failed to serve the storyline, the collection, or the audience.
Despite the disjointed narrative, the supporting cast, including an exceptional Elizabeth Wautlet, navigated the tricky script with finesse, delivering marathon lines that pushed the boundaries of traditional dialogue. The night held its ground with the sheer ambition of Dillane’s vision, even if it fell short on a balance between entertainment and showcasing the collection, an aspect the auction show had brilliantly achieved.
In this theater of the absurd, the KidSuper Spring/Summer 2024 collection remained a somewhat elusive, unlike the previous iterations. This experimentation, although commendable, missed the harmony between the fashion and performance elements that made previous shows a delight.
Yet, we must remember that every artist has their off days. The certainty lies in the fact that Dillane, with his irrepressible spirit, will return with renewed vigor next season.
© Photos: KidSuper
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